Kernel Software Engineer

ABOUT US Harmattan AI is a next-generation defense prime building autonomous and scalable defense systems. Following the close of a $200M Series B, valuing the company at $1.4 billion, we are expanding our teams and capabilities to deliver mission-critical systems to allied forces. Our work is guided by clear values: building technologies with real-world impact, pursuing excellence in everything we do, setting ambitious goals, and taking on the hardest technical challenges. We operate in a demanding environment where rigor, ownership, and execution are expected. About the Role As Kernel Software Engineer, you own the low-level software platform that sits between our hardware and the flight application on our ground control stations. You work across the Linux kernel, board support and a custom Android build, so that every control, display and data link works reliably in the field. You are the bridge between our hardware and application teams, taking a new product line from board bring-up to mass production. Responsibilities - Bring up, configure and maintain the Linux kernel on our hardware, including device tree, drivers and security patches. - Customize and maintain our Android build, covering system services, permissions, boot sequence and OTA updates. - Integrate controls, display, touch, battery and radio modules, and expose them cleanly to the application layer. - Ensure robust, low-latency SBUS and MAVLink data flows between the controller, the radio and the drone. - Debug hardware and software issues alongside electronics and mechanical engineers, using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers and UART/JTAG. - Define flashing, provisioning, factory test and release procedures with the production team. - Work with QGroundControl engineers and QA to validate system behavior on real hardware. - Join field tests and flight sessions to validate your work in real conditions. Candidate Requirements - Master’s degree in Embedded Systems, Software Engineering, Electronics or a related field. - 3+ years of experience in embedded software development. - Strong command of the Linux kernel (configuration, device tree, drivers, debugging) and of C; C++ is a plus. - Hands-on background customizing AOSP, from HALs and system services to the build system. - Comfortable at the hardware boundary: UART, SPI, I2C, GPIO, USB, display and touch controllers. - Exposure to drones or robotics, including MAVLink or PX4/ArduPilot, is a plus. - Hands-on, autonomous and pragmatic, with curiosity about hardware and the ability to learn quickly. - Professional English for technical documentation and international collaboration. We look forward to hearing how you can help shape the future of autonomous defense systems at Harmattan AI.